Luffy stood at the entrance, gazing up at the massive neon sign that glowed brightly against the night sky. The name etched in bold, luminous letters read: The Rose and the Nightingale. He frowned deeply, his hand rubbing his chin as he tried to recall where he had heard that name before.
"The Rose and the Nightingale? Why does that sound so familiar?" he muttered to himself.
Before he could delve further into his thoughts, Hancock grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. The doors swung open, and the interior of the building revealed itself—but Luffy barely had time to take in the decor.
Suddenly, two rows of receptionists appeared on either side of the entrance. Each of them was dressed in a unique style. Some wore traditional Wano Country kimonos, while others were dressed like modern urban beauties. Among them were women in nurse uniforms and even Marine officer attire, a sight that made Luffy's mouth twitch in disbelief.
"Welcome, distinguished guests!" the receptionists said in unison. "The Rose and the Nightingale warmly welcomes you. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to serve. This will be your most reliable haven."
As the synchronized greeting echoed through the hall, two receptionists stepped forward to personally attend to them. Luffy tensed up, realizing the potential danger of the situation. With Hancock, the Queen of Jealousy, standing right next to him, any unwanted attention could spell disaster.
Just as he prepared to shoo the women away, he realized something peculiar. The two receptionists completely ignored him. Instead, they bypassed him entirely and linked arms with Hancock, their faces lighting up with affection.
"Ah, Lady Hancock, you're finally here! We've been waiting for you," one of them said eagerly.
"What's the plan for today, ma'am?" the other asked. "Drinks? The VIP lounge? Or are you planning to pull another prank on someone? Whatever you want, we're ready!"
Luffy stood frozen, his mouth slightly agape. It was clear these women were familiar with Hancock and treated her with the utmost respect. What was even more shocking was Hancock's response. Instead of reprimanding them for their closeness, she greeted them warmly, a rare sight for someone who usually petrified anyone who got too close.
"I'm almost done conquering that thing," Hancock said enthusiastically, clenching her fists in determination. "If we keep it up, we'll definitely succeed today!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the two women chimed in. "We believe in you! Let's work hard together!"
Hancock's excitement was palpable as she linked arms with the two women and began walking away. Luffy, who had been standing to the side and completely ignored, finally snapped out of his stupor.
"Um… Hancock? Did you forget about me?" he called out.
Hearing his voice, Hancock froze mid-step. She turned back, a sheepish look on her face. "Oh no, I got too excited!" she exclaimed, quickly disentangling herself from the two women and rushing back to Luffy's side. "Sorry, my love. I didn't mean to leave you behind. Come on, I'll take you to the VIP floor."
Luffy could only sigh and shake his head. "Fine," he muttered, forgiving her as always.
The two receptionists, still standing nearby, exchanged glances before one of them hesitantly spoke. "Lady Hancock," she began, bowing slightly, "the boss has a rule. Men are only allowed on the first to third floors—even Lord Luffy."
Luffy raised an eyebrow in surprise. These women not only knew who he was but also dared to enforce restrictions against him? It was bold, to say the least.
Hancock, however, dismissed their concerns with a wave of her hand. "Luffy is an exception. Speak to Olivia if there's any issue—she'll approve."
With that, Hancock grabbed Luffy's arm and led him toward the elevator. The two receptionists, visibly conflicted, hurriedly took out their Den Den Mushi to report the situation.
The VIP Floor
Inside the elevator, Hancock skillfully retrieved a card from her pocket. She swiped it against the panel, causing the button marked "VIP" on the eighth floor to light up with a soft beep.
Luffy, still baffled by the events unfolding around him, decided to ask the obvious. "Alright, Hancock, what's the deal with this place? And you mentioned someone named Olivia earlier. What's her connection to all this?"
Hancock's eyes sparkled as she launched into an explanation, her enthusiasm reminiscent of a child talking about their favorite toy. "This is Olivia's establishment," she said. "It's not just a bar—it's so much more! You can stay overnight, order food, play billiards, and even enjoy table games. But that's not the best part!"
Her voice rose with excitement. "From the fourth to the seventh floors, there are electronic games! They're inventions from Olivia herself. And the eighth floor—where we're going—is the VIP floor. Only select people are allowed there, and you can play any game you want!"
Luffy blinked, three giant question marks practically hovering over his head. "Electronic games? Video games?" he repeated, his voice filled with confusion. He had considered several possibilities for what this place might be—a bar, a dance hall, or some other entertainment venue. But an arcade? That hadn't even crossed his mind.
"She made a game city?" he muttered incredulously. "What was Olivia thinking? And when did she even manage to build this? How did I not know?"
...
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